Kira woke to the soft knock on the bedroom door. Sunlight poured through the tall windows in pale gold ribbons, warming the white sheets tangled around her legs. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, still half-lost in the strange, heavy dream where she had been running through endless corridors while someone watched from the shadows without moving.
"Come in," she called.
Two maids entered, carrying a garment bag.
"Good morning, Your Highness," they greeted in unison.
"Good morning," Kira replied in a still groggy voice, noting Mara's absence. "What about Mara?"
"She is not feeling well," one of the maids replied.
"Oh, is it pretty serious?"
"Nothing serious," replied the maid. "It's that time of the month."
Kira relaxed and smiled a little. "Does she have a remedy for relief?" The maids nodded. Kira made a mental note to check up on her personal maid after freshening up.
"Miss Ruby selected your attire for the ceremony," the other maid said.
